1801 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-1, Taraszka-24. Rarity-5. MS-61 (PCGS). CAC.Here is a handsome and remarkably sharp 1801 eagle from the BD-1 dies. Yellow-gold surfaces display hints of deeper honey shades surrounding the devices. Well composed for the assigned grade and very attractive beneath a glass. The reflective fields offer subtle contrast against the more richly textured design elements. The obverse shows considerable cracks equivalent to BD Die State b/d, the most dramatic of which arcs from star 13 up through Libertys neck and into the left field. A less obvious break is seen between the 0 and 1 of the date. Traces of mint-made planchet adjustment remain throughout the upper reverse. The reported mintage of eagles for calendar year 1801 is 44,344 pieces. Through the study of die states, however, numismatic scholars have determined that some 1800-dated coins were struck after those of the 1801 BD-1 variety (both share the same reverse). As such, the reported mintage for calendar year 1801 likely includes some coins dated 1800, and possibly also some dated 1799. With 600 to 800 coins believed extant from an estimated mintage of 30,000 to 40,000 for the variety, 1801 BD-2 is actually the most available early eagle die marriage. Mint State survivors are scarce, of course, and the demand for them is great among collectors of high quality type coins and early gold enthusiasts.PCGS# 45733.PCGS Population (BD-1 variety only): 2; none finer.From the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection.
